Chandrapur marks 58th death anniversary of Rashtrasant Tukdoji Maharaj with special event

A special programme was held in Chandrapur to mark the 58th death anniversary of Rashtrasant Tukdoji Maharaj. It was organised by the central committee of the Rashtrasant Vichar Sahitya Parishad, affiliated to the Shri Gurudev Seva Mandal, and the Chandrapur branch of the Zadibooli Sahitya Mandal. The event took place at the Dhanoje Kunbi Samaj Mandir auditorium in Laxminagar.

The programme was inaugurated by Shridhar Malekar, former chief executive officer of the Zilla Parishad. Senior litterateur Gramgitacharya Bandopant Bodhekar presided. Those present included Naib Tehsildar Omkar Thakre, Dhammamitra Namdev Gedkar, Dr Vijay Helwate, senior poet A. M. Rahim, Dhanoje Kunbi Samaj Sanstha secretary Atul Deulkar, vice-president Sanjay Dhawas, treasurer Sudhakar Kakde, Sanjay Vaidya, Prof. Ravindra Jhade, corporator Manisha Bobde, Navnath Derkar, Ganpat Hingane, journalist Prabhakar Awari and Ashok Satpute of the Namdev Shimpi Samaj.

The event began with worship of the Rashtrasant's statue and the singing of the Sankalp Geet. Inaugurating the programme, Malekar said the Rashtrasant had shown the path to the progress of villages and that people should follow it.

Chief guest Naib Tehsildar Thakre said the Rashtrasant had stressed education for life. He said young people today should not limit their knowledge to degrees but should achieve success in life through hard work.

In his presidential address, Bodhekar spoke at length on the Rashtrasant's thoughts and the humanist philosophy of the Gramgita. He touched on village development, cleanliness, the dignity of labour, education for life and social unity, and spoke on the relevance of the Rashtrasant's ideas today.

In the first session, several writers presented poems, including poet A. M. Rahim, Namdev Gedkar, Prof. Sangita Malekar, Prof. Shubhangi Mohitkar and Vaijayanti Gahukar. Dr Vijay Helwate gave the introduction. Prof. Namdev More conducted the programme and Devrao Kondekar proposed the vote of thanks. Hostel students and Shri Gurudev sevaks were present in large numbers.